The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and the DPRK officially took effect on December 4 following the exchange of documents between both nations' deputy foreign ministers in Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministery announced in a statement issued on Thursday. 

According to the statement, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and DPRK Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jong Gyu officiated the partnership after signing a protocol on the exchange of instruments of ratification. 

"In accordance with Article 22, the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and [the DPRK] went into effect on December 4, 2024, the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification," it said. 

On November 12, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ratified a landmark defense pact with Russia, deepening security cooperation, state media reported. 

The agreement formalizes months of tightening military bonds between the two nations.

Seoul and its ally, the United States, accused the DPRK of sending thousands of troops to Russia, where they have been allegedly provided with Russian uniforms and are reportedly stationed near the border close to Kursk, which Moscow and Pyongyang denied.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the deal "was ratified as a decree" of leader Kim Jong Un. The notice came after Russian lawmakers voted unanimously last week to ratify the deal.

"The treaty will take effect from the day when both sides exchanged the ratification instruments," KCNA said.

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